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Karachi, November 07, 2013 (PPI-OT): Mr. Qutbuddin Sheikh, Managing Director, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW and SB) and Mr. Ghanawer Laghari, Deputy Commissioner, West, Karachi visited S.I.T.E. Association of Industry where they were welcomed by Mr. Younus M. Bashir, Chairman, S.I.T.E. Association of Industry, alongwith Patron-in-Chief, Mr. Siraj Kassam Teli, Mr. M. Zubair Motiwala, Mr. Salim Parekh, Former Chairmen and the Members of Executive Committee of the Association.
Managing Director, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board Promised to enhance the water and also emphasized on the delay in payment from SITE Limited .Chairman, S.I.T.E. Association of Industry clarified that this payment is due to be paid by SITE Limited and not by the industrialists of SITE Area.
He further elaborated that 99% water bills are duly paid within due date by the industrialists of SITE area to SITE Limited, he said it is unfortunate that SITE Limited which is supposed to pay this amount minus 17.5% (Their service charges) but they are not paying in time . It was suggested that instead of going into debate of issues it is wiser to find a workable solution for the future and there are three possibilities:-
1. That KW and SB should take over water distribution of SITE area and collect the bills directly.
2. That KW and SB and SITE Limited jointly reconsider the affairs of water distribution system.
3. That the SITE Limited should split the water bills i.e. 17.5% to be paid to SITE Limited and 82.5% to KW and SB by the industrialists of SITE area that would leave no chance for SITE Limited for not depositing the same with KW and SB.
Managing Director, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board committed to comeback after due consideration of the possibilities to the S.I.T.E. Association of Industry shortly.
The issues of Sub-Soil Water were also discussed and it was clearly stated by Chairman, S.I.T.E. Association of Industry that we do not support any pilferage / theft by any unscrupulous element and appealed to MD to apprehend such elements and S.I.T.E. Association of Industry shall extend full cooperation but as far as sub-soil water lines are concerned, Chairman, S.I.T.E. Association of Industry was very clear that KW and SB supply water three to four million gallon per day , whereas requirement is more than 35 million gallon per day and this is being managed through tankers and installing R-O plants etc.
He said, Sub-Soil Water is a big source for water supply, as the supplier selling pure soil water must not be harassed but such lines can be checked and action should be taken against those who are found stealing KW and SB Water. He also proposed that some kind of fees be levied for the supply of sub-soil water.
MD, KW and SB promised to comeback for workable solution. The meeting also discussed requirement of better pumping system like Solar / Wind pumps replacing outdated / obsolete pumps in order to bring efficiency the supply system.
It was also emphasized that SITE area is being given only half percent of 640 MGD water available to KW and SB, whereas percentage of line losses is more than 30% and over and above collection is about 40%.
The industrialists of SITE area are justified to ask that what should be the position in view of the SITE area employing more than 500000 workers, contributing 30% in the national economy and 25% in exports. 1/2 % versus 30% theft versus 40% collection- Chairman, S.I.T.E. Association of Industry told that this is food for thought, he questioned meager supply of water to the biggest and the oldest industrial area of the country the Chairman said you need fund we need water give us water we guarantee you to pay the bills within time.
For more information, contact:
Muhammad Rafiq Awan
Secretary General
S.I.T.E. Association of Industry
H-16 SITE Karachi
Tel: 2562883-2560705
Fax: 2560704
E-mail: site@site-association.org
Website: www.site-association.org